JOHN Amores has found a new home as he will suit up for Zamboanga Valientes in the upcoming ASEAN Basketball League Invitational.
Team owner Junnie Navarro confirmed the Valientes have welcomed the controversial forward to their camp, a month after his NCAA career with Jose Rizal University was ended by a punching incident in a game against St. Benilde.
"We at Valientes believe in second chances. He is a good player who made a mistake in which he truly regrets," the team said in a statement on Thursday. "One mistake does not define who you are."
[READ: Sara Duterte to John Amores: 'You have a friend at OVP']
Amores averaged 9.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 13 games this past NCAA Season 98 before the Nov. 8 led to an indefinite suspension by the league and being dropped from the athletics program of the Kalentong-based school.
Amores has since apologized for the incident but is still facing complaints filed by Blazers Jimboy Pasturan and Taine Davis before the San Juan Prosecutor's Office.
The Valientes signing marks the end of the collegiate career of the Pagsanjan, Laguna native.
"Before kami naging Valientes, Zamboanga Amores talaga ang moniker namin sa Liga Pilipinas. Amores is love, so we believe na he can be a changed man this time especially kasama niya ang mga Zamboangueno na talagang matatapang pero sa lugar, at yun ang maibibigay na payo namin sa kanya: na okay lang maging matapang sa lugar."
Zamboanga has high hopes on what Amores can bring to the table as he teams up with former Terrafirma import Antonio Hester.
"Tingin namin makakatulong siya sa team lalo na sa defense at outside shooting niya. Aabangan natin ang pagangat ni Amores sa Valientes," the team said.
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